Top UFC welterweights, and American Top Team teammates, Tyron Woodley and Hector Lombard are still a long way from ever fighting each other.
After a quick knockout over Chinese star Dong Hyun Kim in August, Woodley made his intentions clear, after speaking with ATT Owner Dan Lambert and UFC President Dana White, that he had no plans to “fight my teammates.” Despite Woodley‘s loyalty to his camp, events like this arise and it appeared then, and still now, that the Cuban Lombard does not have any kind of relationship with his fellow teammate that would prevent the pair from fighting each other.
While the battle for welterweight supremacy rages on, so does the media circus surrounding the ATT teammates. Last week, Woodley spoke to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour about his relationship with the “salty” Lombard.
“Me being scared of somebody is not very likely, so when people say those things you want to kinda get back at them,” said Woodley. “I haven’t fought any scrubs. I’ve had a big break.”
To Woodley‘s credit, he has fought four times in the span of one year, and making a quick turnaround to fight another top-10 opponent is no easy task. Still, that is something that a fighter should do if they want a coveted title shot. Especially one who has floundered in bouts with title implications before.
The 32-year-old was also quick to point out how quickly public perception can change even after he took Lombard’s spot in Macau, China, after the Cuban pulled out of the fight with a herniated disk.
With the war of words pouring in from both fronts, and Lombard sick of 170-pounders picking and choosing their matchups, a fight with these two would seem inevitable. At least for now, each seem destined for a stay in the top five, so what are a few routes that both may take towards a title shot?
Lombard accepted a fight with returning UFC competitor Josh Burkman on Jan. 3 at UFC 182. Burkman, a World Series of Fighting standout, has won six of his last seven fights. The 34-year-old hasn’t fought in the UFC since October 2008 but remains a dangerous opponent for the sixth-ranked Lombard.
Burkman is a very balanced fighter, with potent striking and a solid ground game. He’s most notable for submitting Jon Fitch in their second tussle together. As a southpaw, he poses even more of problem for Lombard, as Burkman can expect the straight left to come, while keeping his legs fresh by switching stances as he has done often.
The 36-year-old Lombard is more than capable of defeating Burkman, though, and he has the resume and judo credentials to back it up. He is currently undefeated since dropping down to welterweight, using his hands to make quick work of Nate Marquardt and his judo to decision Jake Shields. Should he defeat the former WSOF title challenger, Lombard has a couple of options that don’t involve Woodley.
White could choose to pair him with the winner of the Matt Brown vs. Tarec Saffiedine fight on Feb. 14, or, he might elect to pair him with the returning Carlos Condit. A shot against the loser of Johny Hendricks/Robbie Lawler also sounds appealing. Aside from a meeting with Woodley, those are the only viable options, with Rory MacDonald more than likely waiting for his title shot.
As for Woodley, he has a date with the surging Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 183, who recently finished Jake Ellenberger in the first round of their bout at UFC 180. Gastelum has been on a rapid rise, constantly improving in every fight. The Ultimate Fighter 17 winner is undefeated and has won five straight in the Octagon. The 23-year-old Gastelum has exceeded all expectations and won via a strong wrestling base.
There is plenty of cause for concern on Woodley‘s end, as he has a lot to lose here, but his experience level should pay dividends against the seventh-ranked welterweight. Woodley has ran through the majority of his UFC competition en route to a 4-2 record. His wrestling credentials—Woodley is a two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler—are far superior to that of Gastelum.
Should Woodley win, he would have a strong case for a title shot, especially if he finishes Gastelum. A win would give the ATT fighter three victories over top-10 opponents. His peer, Lombard, has fought quality names, and defeated them easily, but Shields and Marquardt are over the hill. The competition Woodley has faced, aside from his KO of Josh Koscheck, has been much steeper than Lombard’s.
But one dominant victory over Burkman, who has shown he’s no slouch, can change that. Lombard also handedly defeated Shields, a foe that Woodley lost a close split decision to. A suitable opponent for Woodley, if he does win, would have to be the loser of Hendricks/Lawler. It would make sense for two reasons, one, because it would give Woodley the elite test he needs after failing against MacDonald, and two, because the loser will be looking to get back into title contention as fast as possible.
There are ways for both Woodley and Lombard to chase the 170-pound title without fighting each other. Lombard likely receiving the winner of Brown/Saffiedine and Woodley facing the loser of the upcoming main event at UFC 181. Now, should the pair of Woodley and Lombard face off? The answer is yes.
It may not be a grudge match on the level of Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock, nor is it on Matt Hughes and Matt Serra levels, but it’s still a fight that many fans would want to see. One would learn much from a bout between these two. First off, who’s the better ground fighter, and secondly, who’s better with their hands. With each fighter being as decorated on the feet as they’re on the ground, a win for either man would stop the senseless jibber jab in the media and vault them into the title discussion.
White can’t force Woodley to come to the negotiating table, but he could if a title shot is put on the line. The only thing standing in the way are Woodley‘s ideals, either that or he’s clearly making a highly selective career choice based on this matchup.
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